Plumb- or inclination-setting device

ABSTRACT

A plumb- or inclination-setting device for an apparatus such as a driling machine, crane, platform or the like, having a member which is tiltable in relation to the horizontal plane, said member being regulated from an operating position located at a distance from the tiltable member, comprises a housing attachable to the tiltable member. In the housing there is a level illuminated by a lamp or mirror and a means for magnification and reproduction of the level, so that convenient viewing of the enlarged image of this with the naked eye is permitted from the operating position. The housing has an aiming device movable in relation to and fixable to the housing, which aiming device is arranged for such advance setting that when the image of the level bubble is centered in the level housing, the tiltable member adopts a predetermined direction in both the horizontal and the vertical plane.

United States Patent 11 1 Wibom [451 Jan. 28, 1975 PLUMB ()RlNCLlNATlON-SETTING DEVICE [75] Inventor: Gustaf Hakan ()skar Wibom,

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 20. 1972 Sweden 5208/72 Mar.8, 1973 Sweden 7301784 [52] US. Cl 33/333, 33/348, 33/352, 240/644 [51]Int. Cl ..G01c 9/28, G010 9/32 [58] Field of Search 33/310, 313, 314,333, 33/348, 349, 370, 371, 352; 116/114 L; 240/644 {56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,367 l/19l0 Smith 33/313 2 313.7343/1943 Crane et al. 33/348 2,570,122 10/1951 Heckert et al. 33/3332,835,220 4/1958 Rardin 33/333 2,993,281 7/1961 Dock 33/384 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 965,967 2/1950 France 33/348 1,087,771 9/1954France 33/348 Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter Aszs'islun!lituminen-Richard R. Stearns Attorney, Agent. or FirmLerner, David,Littenberg & Samuel [57] ABSTRACT A plumbor inclination-setting devicefor an apparasash a esltilfiaamaehine ne P at r or t liliefhaving amember which is tiltable in relation to the horizontal plane, saidmember being regulated from an operating position located at a distancefrom the tiltable member, comprises a housing attachable to the tiltablemember. In the housing there is a level illuminated by a lamp or mirrorand a means for magnification and reproduction of the level, so thatconvenient viewing of the enlarged image of this with the naked eye ispermitted from the operating position. The housing has an aiming devicemovable in relation to and fixable to the housing, which aiming deviceis arranged for such advance setting that when the image of the levelbubble is centered in the level housing, the tiltable member adopts apredetermined direction in both the horizontal and the vertical plane.

13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JANZ 81975 SHEET 3 OF 5 Fig. 3

PATENTEU JAN 2 8 i975 SHEET 4 0F 5 Fig. 4

PLUMB- OR INCLlNATION-SETTING DEVICE DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Thepresent invention refers to a plumbor inclination-setting device whichcan be used in many different types of apparatuses such as drillingmachines, cranes, platforms etc.

Many attempts have been made to increase the accuracy in positioning fordrilling of, inter alia, blasting holes. With the method used heretoforewhich is based on the drillers empirical judgement of the vertical orplumb line, it is not possible to attain better results thanapproximately 3 per cent deviation. This will increase the number andthe length of holes, the drill-hole diameters as well as explosivesconsumption. This in turn leads to inferior economy.

The drillers current difficulties with setting of the drilling platformalso involves loss of time since it is necessary for him to check theangle from other directions than the plane he sees from his operatingposition.

It has now been stated as desirable to have a deviation of less than oneper cent from the drilling angle specified for the drilling.

One object of the invention is to obtain a plumbor inclination-settingdevice which has great accuracy and reliability, is simple to handle anduse, has a simple construction and is easily adopted to different typesof apparatuses being adjustable primarily as concerns their inclinationrelative to the horizontal plane.

According to the invention there is accomplished a plumborinclination-setting device for an apparatus comprising a member which istiltable in the vertical plane such as a drilling machine, crane,platform, etcetera, the inclination of said tiltable member in relationto the horizontal plane being regulated from an operating positionlocated at a distance from the tiltable member, substantiallycharacterized by a housing attachable to the tiltable member, whichhousing has at least one level illuminated by a lamp, mirror or the likeand means for magnification and reproduction of the level. so thatconvenient viewing of the enlarged image of this with the naked eye ispermitted from the operating position.

In practise it is preferred that the housing is rotatably and/ordisplaceably attached to the tiltable member or to a bar parallel withthe longitudinal axis thereof.

A graduate scale is preferably used for setting of the housing inrelation to the tiltable member and there is in many applications also asecond graduate scale in a plane at right angles to the first one.

The part of the housing provided with means for reproduction of thelevel is preferably rotatable in relation to the part containing thelevel, so that the enlarged image of the level always is visible fromthe operating position.

In one preferred modified embodiment of the invention the housing has anaiming device movable in relation to and fixable to the housing, whichaiming device is arranged for such advance setting that when the imageof the level bubble is centered in the level housing the tiltablemember, e.g. the feed beam, adopts a predetermined direction in both thehorizontal and the vertical plane.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription of some embodiments thereof. The description is made inconnection with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view ofa drilling machine provided with a deviceaccording to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section of modified embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view of a device provided with an associateddirection-finding instrument.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an aiming device provided with aligning meansfor the direction-finding instrument.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate different steps when using the device andinstrument combination according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a housing 11 contains one or more levels 1,Le, transparent, liquid-filled containers of tube or box type with a gasbubble or metal droplet which is/are illuminated or mirrored from below,from above or from the side counted from the marking made in the levelwhich indicates the position of the bubble when the level is in thehorizontal or other specific position. By means of suitable lenses 2 orother system the bubble is reflected and the position markingappropriately enlarged, e.g. 10 times, on an inclined plane or aninclined mirror 3 and focussing screen 4. The housing with its contentsis provided with a means 6 permitting setting of a predetermined anglein one plane such as an inclination angle relative to the horizontalplane, and setting of another angle in a plane at right angles theretosuch as a certain direction in the horizontal plane. The housing isattached to for instance the feed beam of a drilling machine 12 of thekind illustrated in FIG. 2.

Since the driller requires the assistance of the instrument only for ashort time at each drill hole the lamp 7 necessary for the illuminationneeds only small batteries as its power source.

The degree of magnification is decided by the demands for viewabilityfrom the drillers operating position. In order for the driller to beable to check the inclination of the drilling platform aftercommencement of drilling the upper part 11a of the device withmirror/focussing screen or inclined plane is rotatable. Normally thedevice is mounted at eye level on the drilling platform.

In certain cases, however, the ground is so hilly or rocky that it isdifficult to see the instrument from the drillers operating position. Inview of such eventualities the device as shown in FIG. 2 is movablealong a bar 8 parallel with the drilling rod 13.

A device of the kind described below enabling the longitudinal axis ofthe instrument to be rapidly adjusted so as to become parallel with thedrilling rod may also be used.

In those cases where particular accuracy is called for the instrumentcan be attached directly to the drilling machine. This is preferred whenthe machine is handheld or when the feed beam, as frequently happens, iscurved.

The device is dust-protected and preferably vibrationfree, and issuspended and protected from blows and jolts by the protective casing11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the focusing screen 4 issurrounded by a screen or protective hood 11a for sunbeams, so thatviewing of the enlarged image of the level in sunny weather isfacilitated.

For inclined hole drilling the device can be mounted pivotably, possiblywith a motor, on a pole (not shown), so that the device itself works asa plummet. Between the device and the pole is an adjustable andgraduated means which allows angular setting of the drilling unit aroundthe horizon." The aiming of the horizontal direction of the drill holesis regulated by observation of the built-in compass 5. The device willrotate around its axis when the feed beam is reset. At the same time,the upper part of the casing 11 can be rotated either manually ormechanically, possibly with a motor, so that the level is visible in allpositions from the operating position. The combined level and pendulaarrangement provides accurate control of both direction and angle to thehorizontal plane. The compass housing can be rotatable from outside.

The device is used in the following manner: To begin with, the graduatedscale 6 is set at the wanted angle of inclination, whereafter the feedbeam 9 (FIG. 2) is aligned in plane with the aid of the compass or otheraligning device of the kind described below. The angular relationship ofthe feed beam 9 is then adjusted with the aid of the level 1. If thedevice does not adopt the vertical position automatically this isadjusted with the built-in electric motor 30.

In this type of drilling operation it is often required that severaldrill holes be drilled along, for instance, a rock cutting and thatthese holes be parallel. This is achieved according to the invention inthe following manner;

One or two angular prisms (not shown) are mounted with one axis at rightangles to the drilling rod and feed beam, so that if the device isturned around the said axis a plane parallel with the drilling rod isdefined. The prism or prisms are then in their turn individuallyrotatable around axes parallel with the former and can by means of wiresand worm gears be maneuvered by the driller from his operating position.The image in the prisms is enlarged and reflected in the same manner asin the previously described apparatus. This equipment includes stakingpoles, possibly illuminated, such as by lighted neon tubes therewithin,provided with a graduated setting facility.

When using the equipment the two staking poles are first erected alongthe upper edge of the wanted cutting and with the same inclination asthis. Next the first described inclination-setting instrument is set atthe wanted angle of inclination, whereafter the drilling machine anddrilling platform are maneuvered partly so that the level is zeroed andpartly so that the staking poles are visible in line with the respectivefocussing screens.

When drilling in tunnels, paralleling and aligning of the drill holes isa major problem. In this case the inclination-setting instrument iscomplemented by a compass 5, which is mounted as is apparent from FIGS.1 and 3 inside the inclination-setting device. On account of the largemetal masses it is difficult to completely compensate the compass fordeviation, but this is of negligible significance when the distancebetween drill holes is small. Furthermore, possible deviations caneasily be corrected against ordinary measuring in the tunnel.

In use the desired number of degrees appropriately in the same directionas the tunnel has is set on the compass and the angle of inclination ofthe tunnel on the inclination-setting instrument, whereupon the drillingmachine and feed beam are maneuvered until the wanted position isreached, i.e., when the image of the bubble is centered on the screen 4.

Alternatively the housing can be combined with a direction-findinginstrument of the kind shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The housing 21 is then united with a tiltable member 22, e.g. a feedbeam on a drilling machine of the kind shown in FIG. 2 via a secondhousing 23, here designated angle housing. This angle housing features auniversal joint (not shown) or the like and a graduated scale 6 forsetting of the predetermined inclination of the tiltable member in thevertical plane.

Carried on the housing 21 is a pivotable or rotatable aiming device witha holder 24 and four aligning means 25. The aligning means 25 arelocated in the corners of a square or rectangle. Each and every one ofthese can with the aid of two other aligning means allow aligningtowards either a point in the direction of the tiltable member, e.g.,the feed beam, or a point in a direction opposite thereto.

The holder 24 is fixable in relation to the housing 21 by means of abrake device 26.

The aiming device 24, 25 is flxable to the angle housing via a lock pin27, which can snap into a hole 28. The lock pin 27 can be detained butcan be activated when so desired, whereupon it can enter the said hole.

The direction-finding instrument is used in the following manner:

1. The wanted inclination, e.g. in the ratio 3:1 of the tiltable memberin relation to the horizontal plane is set on the graduated scale 6. Theangle housing 23 is then disengaged. The tiltable member can now be setfrom the operating position with the correct inclination and roughly thecorrect direction in the horizontal plane. The correct inclination isobtained by centering the level bubble.

2. The operator then approaches the instrument, releases the brake 26and aims with the aid of the aiming device towards the wanted point P inthe terrain, etcetera. (FIG. 7).

3. The brake 26 is applied and the lock pin 27 is activated (FIG. 7).

4. The angle housing 23 is turned until the lock pin 27 enters the hole28.

5. The operator returns to the operating position and maneuvers thetiltable member, e.g. the feed beam. until the image of the level bubbleis centered.

When the angle housing 23 is made to move to the position in which thelock pin 27 enters the hole 28 it can theoretically be said to movealong the generatrix of a cone, the cone angle of which corresponds tothe angle of inclination in relation to the horizontal plane of thetiltable member, e.g. the feed beam.

Exact transmission of the directional change which must be carried outby the tiltable member in order for it to adopt the wanted predetermineddirection and inclination thereafter takes place in conjunction with thecentering of the level bubble in that the tiltable member, e.g. the feedbeam 22 is then imparted a motion back along the generatrix of acorresponding cone. In practice, however, the movement of the tiltablemember need naturally not follow the said generatrix. The movement canthus take place stagewise in different directions or for example followa chord between a point on the said generatrix which corresponds to theinitial position and another point on the generatrix which correspondsto the predeterminal final position.

The direction of the said chord is indicated to the operator by theposition of the level bubble in relation to the centering point of thelevel bubble.

A direction-finding instrument according to the invention allows verygreat accuracy for setting in both the horizontal and the verticalplane. Theoretically, an accuracy of l/600 can thus be obtained. Thehole 28 can be superseded by several corresponding holes. Alternativelythe angle housing can be locked together in an arbitrary position inrelation to the aiming device.

Various modifications are possible within the framework of thefundamental invention concept.

The device has been described in connection with a drilling machine butit is evident to the man of art that it can find many other applicationswhere it is of importance that one member shall take a predeterminedangle relative to the ground or a second member. Further the aiminginstrument described will facilitate directioning of the one member in aplane at right angles to the plane in which the first mentionedpredetermined angle is set.

What I claim is:

l. A plumb or inclination-setting device for an apparatus comprising amember which is tiltable in a vertical plane such as a drilling machine,crane, platform or the like, the inclination of said tiltable member inrelation to the horizontal plane being regulated from an operatingposition located at a distance from said tiltable member, characterizedby a housing, means for mounting said housing upon said tiltable memberso that said housing is rotatable about a first axis perpendicular tosaid vertical plane, a level carried by said housing, means forilluminating said level, and means for projecting a magnified image ofsaid level so that said magnified image of said level may be viewed withthe naked eye from the operating position.

2. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 1,characterized in that the housing is in the form of a plummetpendulously suspended from said means for mounting said housing.

3. A plumb or inclination-setting device according to claim 1,characterized in that said means for mounting said housing is movablealong the longitudinal axis of the tiltable member.

4. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 1characterized by a graduated scale on said housing for setting thehorizontal angle of inclination of said housing in relation to saidmeans for mounting said housing.

5. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 4, whereinsaid housing includes an upper and lower portion, said lower portionbeing rotatably attached to said upper portion to rotate about a secondaxis orthogonal to said first axis and further includes a secondgraduated scale for indicating rotation of said lower portion of saidhousing with respect to said upper portion.

6. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 1, includinga compass for aiming said tiltable member.

7. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 1,characterized in that said means for projecting a magnified image ofsaid level comprises at least one lens defining a single optical axis, amirror inclined in relation to the optical axis of at least one of saidlenses, and a focusing screen.

8. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 7,characterized in that the focussing screen is surrounded by a protectivehood, so that viewing of the enlarged image of the level in sunnyweather is facilitated.

9. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 7,characterized in that the focussing screen has a circular shape.

10. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 1, whereinsaid means for mounting said housing comprises an angle housing mountedon said tiltable member, and said device further includes aiming meansfor sighting on a fixed point on the horizon, and means rotatablymounting said aiming means for rotation with respect to said housing.

11. A plumb or inclination-setting device according to claim 10,characterized in that said aiming means comprise holding means includingmeans for fixing said aiming means in relation to said housing.

12. A plumbor inclination-setting device according to claim 11,including means for setting said housing in a fixed position withrespect to said mounting means.

13. A plumb or inclination-setting device according to claim 1,including a motor for rotating said mounting means with respect to saidtiltable member.

1. A plumb or inclination-setting device for an apparatus comprising amember which is tiltable in a vertical plane such as a drilling machine,crane, platform or the like, the inclination of said tiltable member inrelation to the horizontal plane being regulated from an operatingposition located at a distance from said tiltable member, characterizedby a housing, means for mounting said housing upon said tiltable memberso that said housing is rotatable about a first axis perpendicular tosaid vertical plane, a level carried by said housing, means forilluminating said level, and means for projecting a magnified image ofsaid level so that said magnified image of said level may be viewed withthe naked eye from the operating position.
 2. A plumb- orinclination-setting device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe housing is in the form of a plummet pendulously suspended from saidmeans for mounting said housing.
 3. A plumb or inclination-settingdevice according to claim 1, characterized in that said means formounting said housing is movable along the longitudinal axis of thetiltable member.
 4. A plumb- or inclination-setting device according toclaim 1 characterized by a graduated scale on said housing for settingthe horizontal angle of inclination of said housing in relation to saidmeans for mounting said housing.
 5. A plumb- or inclination-settingdevice according to claim 4, wherein said housing includes an upper andlower portion, said lower portion being rotatably attached to said upperportion to rotate about a second axis orthogonal to said first axis andfurther includes a second graduated scale for indicating rotation ofsaid lower portion of said housing with respect to said upper portion.6. A plumb- or inclination-setting device according to claim 1,including a compass for aiming said tiltable member.
 7. A plumb- orinclination-setting device according to claim 1, characterized in thatsaid means for projecting a magnified image of said level comprises atleast one lens defining a single optical axis, a mirror inclined inrelation to the optical axis of at least one of said lenses, and afocusing screen.
 8. A plumb- or inclination-setting device according toclaim 7, characterized in that the focussing screen is surrounded by aprotective hood, so that viewing of the enlarged image of the level insunny weather is facilitated.
 9. A plumb- or inclination-setting deviceaccording to claim 7, characterized in that the focussing screen has acircular shape.
 10. A plumb- or inclination-setting device according toclaim 1, wherein said means for mounting said housing comprises an anglehousing mounted on said tiltable member, and said device furtherincludes aiming means for sighting on a fixed point on the horizon, andmeans rotatably mounting said aiming means for rotation with respect tosaid housing.
 11. A plumb or inclination-setting device according toclaim 10, characterized in that said aiming means comprise holding meansincluding means for fixing said aiming means in relation to saidhousing.
 12. A plumb- or inclination-setting device according to claim11, including means for setting said housing in a fixed position withrespect to said mounting means.
 13. A plumb or inclination-settingdevice according to claim 1, including a motor for rotating saidmounting means with respect to said tiltable member.